ReadWrite - drivehttp://readwrite.com/tag/drive
enCopyright 2015 Wearable World Inc.http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssTue, 31 Mar 2015 13:48:20 -0700How Delphi's Tech Will Drive Its First Coast-To-Coast Driverless Road Trip<!-- tml-version="2" --><p>On Saturday at the South By Southwest conference in Austin, Delphi made history by announcing the first coast-to-coast automated drive. Dubbed the Delphi Drive, the trip will start in San Francisco on March 22 and end in New York City a few days later.&nbsp;</p><p>To make the drive possible, the company rigged a 2015 Audi SQ5 with additional sensors and computers, all seamlessly tucked into the vehicle, and brought it to the C3 Connected Car Pavilion at SXSW for a static demo. I had the chance to experience the self-driving tech first hand.&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p><strong>See also: <a href="http://readwrite.com/2015/01/06/peak-car-birth-of-mobility">Welcome To Peak Car—And A Transformation In How We Get Around</a></strong></p></blockquote><p>What I saw convinced me that we could be closer than ever to seeing autonomous driving in real production vehicles.&nbsp;</p><h2>Top Gear</h2><div tml-image="ci01c9a9ac9001c80a" tml-image-caption="" tml-render-layout="inline"><figure><img src="http://a1.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTI4ODIwNjA1MjU1NjEwMzM4.jpg" /><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div><p>One of the major automotive tech themes of 2015 is how autonomous driving has been burning rubber toward reality.&nbsp;</p><p>At the Consumer Electronics Show, Audi drove one of its “piloted” cars from San Francisco to Las Vegas without human intervention. BMW showed an i3 that could navigate a busy parking garage and find a spot on its own, then return to its owner when summoned via a mobile app.&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p><strong>See also: <a href="http://readwrite.com/2014/11/26/5-tech-companies-future-of-cars">5 High-Tech Companies That Are Driving the Future of Cars</a></strong></p></blockquote><p>Both examples only used slightly modified cars, with additional sensors and computers neatly integrated into the vehicle. In other words, unsightly, spinning roof-mounted <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/laser-eyes-pose-price-hurdle-for-driverless-cars-1405969441">LIDAR remote-sensing units</a> are now a thing of the past.&nbsp;</p><div tml-image="ci01c9a9ac30012a83" tml-image-caption="" tml-render-layout="inline"><figure><img src="http://a2.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTI4ODIwNjA1MjU1NDk0Mjc1.jpg" /><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div><p>The theme continues at SXSW.&nbsp;Other than the large Delphi logo pasted on its side, the modified SQ5 appears almost stock. But look closer, and you’ll see a few subtle changes.&nbsp;</p><p>The company installed several sensors all over the car, pointing forward and back, and in each corner. You’ll find radar fitted behind the front and rear bumpers, together with laser-based LIDAR sensors in the front bumper, rear quarter-windows and hatch glass. A set of cameras mounted behind the windshield detects lanes, pedestrians, road signs and traffic lights.&nbsp;</p><div tml-image="ci01c9a9aac0012a83" tml-image-caption="" tml-render-layout="inline"><figure><img src="http://a5.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTI4ODIwNjA1MjU1NDc5MjY2.jpg" /><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div><p>Inside the vehicle, the company added a Delphi Drive button alongside capacitive (touch) sensors on the steering wheel, a driver-facing camera plus infrared LED lights in the windshield frames, light strips on the dashboard, a fingerprint reader in the center console, and haptic motors in the seats, for&nbsp;tactile feedback.&nbsp;</p><p>What you won’t see are racks full of computers in the trunk—that’s because of Delphi’s years of experience integrating electronics into cars. A set of hidden actuators for the steering wheel, gear selector and pedals round out the modifications.&nbsp;</p><div tml-image="ci01c9a9a9d001c80a" tml-image-caption="" tml-render-layout="inline"><figure><img src="http://a3.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTI4ODIwNjA1MjU1NTM0NjAy.jpg" /><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div><div tml-image="ci01c9a9a970019512" tml-image-caption="" tml-render-layout="inline"><figure><img src="http://a5.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTI4ODIwNjA1MjU1NjAwMTM4.jpg" /><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div><p>In all, Delphi rigged the vehicle to optimize for both manned and driverless modes. But one of the big challenges with autonomous cars is driver hand-off. How does the system give control back to the driver? When is it best to alert the driver? What happens if the driver doesn’t respond? These are questions that have technical, cultural, and legal implications for the future of self-driving vehicles.&nbsp;</p><p>I was able to witness Delphi’s solution right from the driver seat.&nbsp;</p><h2>Taking Control</h2><div tml-image="ci01c9a9ab2001c80a" tml-image-caption="" tml-render-layout="inline"><figure><img src="http://a5.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTI4ODIwNjA1MjU1NTQ0ODAy.jpg" /><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div><p>First, the car issues a verbal warning similar to voice navigation—only instead of warning you of an upcoming left turn, the modded SQ5 asks the driver to “take control in a half mile.”&nbsp;</p><p>Taking control means getting the driver’s eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. As the vehicle approaches the hand-off point, the verbal warnings become more frequent and eventually light strips start flashing red on the dashboard and haptic motors start vibrating in the seat cushions. If the driver still fails to take over, the car will safely pull over and come to a stop.&nbsp;</p><div tml-image="ci01c9a9aa30012a83" tml-image-caption="" tml-render-layout="inline"><figure><img src="http://a4.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTI4ODIwNjA1MjU1NjY1Njc0.jpg" /><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div><p>The entire process lasts about 30 seconds, which is plenty of time for most attentive drivers to take over. Putting the vehicle into automated driving mode is as simple as pressing the Delphi Drive button. While the company didn’t demo this, it showed a “valet pickup” feature similar to BMWs, in which the car meets its owner when requested from a smartphone app. Once on board, the fingerprint scanner confirms the driver’s identity.</p><p>Judging from Delphi’s technology, we may be closer than ever to seeing autonomous driving in production vehicles—that is, if the company can overcome the technical and legal hurdles.&nbsp;Delphi is doing its best. For its cross-country journey, the six-person team won't drive at night or in inclement weather. The company will also coordinate with local authorities in each state to ensure “safe passage.”&nbsp;</p><p>Regardless of these limitations, we’re about to witness a significant milestone in automotive history. You’ll be able to follow the car’s progress on the <a href="http://www.delphi.com/delphi-drive">Delphi Drive website</a>&nbsp;or on <a href="http://twitter.com/delphiauto">Twitter via @DelphiAuto</a> (with hashtag #DelphiDrive).</p><p><em>Photos by Myriam Joire for ReadWrite</em></p>Though only in broad daylight and good weather.http://readwrite.com/2015/03/17/delphi-first-coast-to-coast-autonomous-drive
http://readwrite.com/2015/03/17/delphi-first-coast-to-coast-autonomous-driveWebTue, 17 Mar 2015 08:29:20 -0700Myriam JoireThe Smart Car Will Be Hacked<!-- tml-version="2" --><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b280b9c0018266" tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><figure><img src="http://a1.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTIyMzAxNjc0MzY1NjgyMjc4.jpg" /></figure></div><p><em><a href="http://readwrite.com/series/drive">ReadWriteDrive</a>&nbsp;is an ongoing series covering the future of transportation.</em></p><p>Connected cars are computers on wheels, and before long they'll do most everything our phones and tablets do now—store personal data, finalize transactions, play games. Oh, and catch viruses and other malware.</p><p>Security encryption flaws left <a href="http://readwrite.com/2014/03/05/gnutls-bug-linux-security-flaw-leaves-users-vulnerable-hacks">Apple and Linux software vulnerable</a> to hacks in the last month. Similar vulnerabilities in smart cars could have far worse consequences, starting with accidents that could injure or kill drivers, passengers, pedestrians or the occupants of other vehicles.</p><p>A variety of auto makers are already selling connected services, and the car hacks have followed on their heels. Last year, a <a href="http://broadcast.oreilly.com/2013/08/authentication-flaws-in-the-tesla-model-s-rest-api.html">flaw in the API of the Tesla Model S</a> opened up the automobile to potential security breaches. None posed immediate danger—such as causing physical harm to the driver or passenger—but it could allow hackers to drain the batteries of these electric cars.&nbsp;</p><blockquote tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><p><strong>See also: <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/11/13/hacking-the-connected-home-when-your-house-watches-you">Hacking The Connected Home: When Your House Watches You</a></strong></p></blockquote><p>Judith Bitterli, chief marketing officer for the online-security company AVG, predicts drivers will need to be aware of three tiers of hackers: professional hackers like those from Russia who essentially produce “malware for hire”; accidental hackers such as young gamers who, for instance, distribute malware-laced coins online; and hackers in your own car, like passengers who haven't secured their own devices.</p><p>Consumers already struggle with securing information online. Almost two decades after the Internet burst into the mainstream, user passwords are still atrocious, leaving millions of people vulnerable to hacks. In 2013, the <a href="http://gizmodo.com/the-25-most-popular-passwords-of-2013-god-help-us-1504852434">most popular password</a> was “123456,” followed by simply “password.” Drivers of connected cars will need to become smarter about security, and sometimes rely on car manufacturers and dealerships to educate them before they drive off the lot.</p><blockquote tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><p><strong>See also: <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/09/18/internet-of-things-security-disaster-terrorism-war">The Internet Of Things Might Try To Kill You</a></strong></p></blockquote><p>“The shape of the dealership is going to change,” Bitterli told me in an interview. “I view dealerships as having a little Geeksquad in there, because you look at the Tesla and there is no engine. You’re focused on the operating system.”</p><p>Manufacturers are taking precautions to ensure vehicle security, and like many software firms, are hiring hackers. Tesla brought on <a href="http://www.roadandtrack.com/go/news/tesla-hires-a-hacker">Apple’s former “Hacker Princess”</a> earlier this year to monitor and improve security in the software layer of its vehicles.&nbsp;</p><h2>What To Do With Our Data</h2><p></p><div tml-image="ci01b280f210016d19" tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><figure><img src="http://a3.files.readwrite.com/image/upload/c_fill,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTIyMzAxOTE1Njg5Mjg4Mjk0.jpg" /></figure></div><p>The Internet of Things will be a treasure trove of data. We already overshare on social media, and those companies we trust with our information are using it to make money. Most users don’t read websites’ terms of service—we click “accept” without understanding where our data goes and who is using it.&nbsp;</p><p>“We actually see two critical things [in connected cars],” Bitterli said. “One layer of security and another is a layer of privacy.”&nbsp;</p><p>Consider this simple but newly relevant question:&nbsp;If your connected car is in a serious accident, who owns the data stored in the crash? You? The auto manufacturer? Your dealer? Your insurance company?</p><p>Companies like AVG are pushing for data privacy “nutritional labels” that come with connected devices like cars and delineate what is connected, what it is shared, and how it is being used.&nbsp;By making that information available at purchase in a condensed, readable form, instead of hidden behind the legalese in which traditional terms of service are written, consumers can better own and protect their information.</p><p>It’s not just companies that are trying to own your data. The U.S. Department of Transportation has purview over the automotive industry and is trying to control what kind of technology goes into connected cars. Earlier this year, <a href="http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/2014/USDOT+to+Move+Forward+with+Vehicle-to-Vehicle+Communication+Technology+for+Light+Vehicles">the DOT announced</a> that connected cars will be required to have vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology that could potentially deter accidents.&nbsp;</p><blockquote tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><p><strong>See also: <a href="http://readwrite.com/2013/12/18/internet-of-cars">The Internet Of Cars Draws Nigh</a></strong></p></blockquote><p>According to Catherine McCullough, director of the <a href="http://intelligentcarcoalition.org">Intelligent Car Coalition</a>, some in Congress are concerned about Internet of Things security, and the White House has come out with a cybersecurity framework.</p><p>“When it comes to the legal framework and the ideas about who should be responsible for what, Washington is working on that already,” McCullough said at a tech <a href="http://waggeneredstrom.com/what-we-do/technology/connected-car-pavilion/">conference earlier this week</a>. &nbsp;</p><p>There is growing unease regarding government surveillance, especially in terms of collecting data on U.S. citizens. <a href="http://readwrite.com/2014/03/10/edward-snowden-nsa-privacy-surveillance-encryption-sxsw">NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden</a> released documents last year describing intelligence-community surveillance on a massive scale, elevating consumer concerns over whether and how companies and government agencies collect their personal information.&nbsp;</p><blockquote tml-render-position="right" tml-render-size="medium"><p><strong>See also:&nbsp;</strong><strong><a href="http://readwrite.com/2014/03/11/volkswagen-data-monster-privacy-google-self-driving-cars">Volkswagen: 'The Car Must Not Become A Data Monster'</a></strong></p></blockquote><p>“If as a composite industry between technology and automotive, we don’t set the practices around privacy and data now, it will be bad business,” Bitterli said. “And the concern is that the government won’t do it in the interest of the consumer.”</p><p><em>Images via Selena Larson for ReadWrite</em></p>But you won't be totally helpless, if you and your car dealer—no, really—are proactive about security.http://readwrite.com/2014/03/13/smart-car-hacks-vulnerability-security
http://readwrite.com/2014/03/13/smart-car-hacks-vulnerability-securityWebThu, 13 Mar 2014 05:04:00 -0700Selena Larson